P120C
Sign in to saveThe P120C is a solid-fuel rocket motor developed for use as the first stage of the Vega-C launch vehicle and as strap-on boosters for the Ariane 6. It was developed by Europropulsion, a joint venture between Avio and ArianeGroup, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The designation "P120C" reflects key characteristics of the motor: "P" stands for poudre (French for 'powder'), referencing its solid propellant; "120" denotes the original target of 120 tonnes of propellant (later increased to nearly 142 tonnes); and "C" signifies its common use across multiple launch systems.
Wikidata facts
- Diameter
- 3.4
- Mass
- 143600
- Height
- 13.38
Show 4 more facts
- Commons category
- P120 (rocket stage)
- maximum thrust
- 4323
- specific impulse by weight
- 279
- first flight
- 2022-07-13
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Article
5 sectionsContents
- Development and Testing
- Design and Performance
- P160C
- See also
- References
The P120C is a solid-fuel rocket motor developed for use as the first stage of the Vega-C launch vehicle and as strap-on boosters for the Ariane 6. It was developed by Europropulsion, a joint venture between Avio and ArianeGroup, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The designation "P120C" reflects key characteristics of the motor: "P" stands for poudre (French for 'powder'), referencing its solid propellant; "120" denotes the original target of 120 tonnes of propellant (later increased to nearly 142 tonnes); and "C" signifies its common use across multiple launch systems.
As of July 2022, the P120C is the world's largest and most powerful single-piece solid-fuel rocket motor, surpassing the earlier P80FW used on the original Vega launcher.